The Commercial Law League of America Announces the Recipient of the 2024 President’s Cup

Rolling Meadows, IL, February 7, 2024 – Honorable (Ret.) Judith K. Fitzgerald will receive the Commercial Law League of America (CLLA) President’s Cup Award at its 130th National Convention on May 17th in Chicago, Illinois at the Annual Awards brunch. This award, along with the CLLA Lawrence P. King Award which she received in 2011, is a testament to her contributions to the field of commercial law and to the CLLA which she joined 35 years ago. Judge Fitzgerald is revered in the area of bankruptcy law, with over 25 years of experience as a bankruptcy judge.

The President’s Cup was first presented to the CLLA in 1964 by the American Lawyers Quarterly and is awarded to the CLLA member who rendered outstanding service for the benefit of the CLLA, made a substantial contribution to the improvement of the standards and practice of commercial law, and elevated the image of the CLLA through excellence and personal and professional conduct.

About Honorable (Ret.) Judith Fitzgerald
Judge Fitzgerald is a retired United States Bankruptcy Judge who served in the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 2013. She also sat by designation in the District of Delaware, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Judge Fitzgerald has extensive experience in mediation and arbitration. She is a member of FedArb, an association of former federal judges who provide mediation and arbitration services. She has mediated and arbitrated a wide variety of cases, including complex commercial disputes, bankruptcy matters, and personal injury cases. She is a highly respected mediator with a proven track record of success. She is known for her ability to bring parties together and help them reach mutually agreeable solutions. She is also known for her fairness and impartiality. Judge Fitzgerald has extensive experience in mass tort bankruptcy cases and dealing with plans and trusts that resolve those difficult issues. She is frequently retained as a consultant, expert witness and lecturer in matters involving mass torts, trial strategy, evidence, procedure, contracts, bankruptcy, and professional responsibility. She participates on several committees and boards dedicated to fostering legal education and improving access to justice.

Judge Fitzgerald serves as a Professor in the Practice of Law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where she has taught Bankruptcy and Advanced Bankruptcy. She is active in national and local professional organizations including the Commercial Law League of America, the American Law Institute, the American College of Bankruptcy, The American Bankruptcy Institute, and the American Inns of Court. Among other offices, she has served as President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and as Chair of the Bankruptcy Judges Advisory Committee to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Judge Fitzgerald has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commercial Law League’s Lawrence P. King Award for Excellence in Bankruptcy and the American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Alliance Distinguished Service Award. For more on Judge Fitzgerald click here to view her online bio.

About the CLLA
Since 1895, the not-for-profit Commercial Law League of America has connected experienced attorneys with credit grantors, lending institutions and other commercial credit, bankruptcy and general finance industry members through networking, education, legislative advocacy and specialized legal services. The association’s members include attorneys, collection agencies, judges, accountants, trustees, turnaround managers and other credit and finance experts. The League provides networking opportunities and professional services to business and credit communities. For more information on the CLLA, please visit www.CLLA.org.
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For additional information about the Commercial Law League of America, contact Dawn Federico, Director at dawn.federico@clla.org or by calling 312-240-1400.